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2005 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

908 reports with mileage · 183 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 351 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 259 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 141 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports18 fire reports44 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,091 reports
25,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE HAS BEEN MAKING A TAPPING NOISE SINCE 2006. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE TAPPING FAILURE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE. AFTER THREE OF THE FIVE VISITS, T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE HAS BEEN MAKING A TAPPING NOISE SINCE 2006. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE TAPPING FAILURE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE. AFTER THREE OF THE FIVE VISITS, THE MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE TAPPING STILL OCCURS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229987

54,025 miles · Jun 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR A TSB. THE CAR WAS STALLING AT LOW SPEED. THE TSB SAID THE CRANK SENSOR WOULD OVERHEAT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE ECM TO READ THE SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE ECM, BUT TOLD ME I HAD TO BUY A NEW SENSOR, WHICH I DID. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS CREATED BY THE…

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I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR A TSB. THE CAR WAS STALLING AT LOW SPEED. THE TSB SAID THE CRANK SENSOR WOULD OVERHEAT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE ECM TO READ THE SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE ECM, BUT TOLD ME I HAD TO BUY A NEW SENSOR, WHICH I DID. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS CREATED BY THE DESIGN/POSITIONING OF THE SENSOR, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. I FEEL NISSAN IS CHARGING TO MAKE REPAIRS ON A TSB AT THE EXPENSE OF NISSAN OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229466

43,500 miles · May 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAD A RECALL ON A PART ON MY 2005 ALTIMA AND HAD IT 'FIXED' AT THE DEALER IN FEBRUARY. I DROVE IT OUT OF TOWN FOR A HOLIDAY WEEKEND, AND IT PROCEEDED TO DIE ON FIVE (5) OCCASIONS OVER TWO (2) DAYS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE PROBLEM HAD NO PREDICTED ONSET, AND THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER IT DI…

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I HAD A RECALL ON A PART ON MY 2005 ALTIMA AND HAD IT 'FIXED' AT THE DEALER IN FEBRUARY. I DROVE IT OUT OF TOWN FOR A HOLIDAY WEEKEND, AND IT PROCEEDED TO DIE ON FIVE (5) OCCASIONS OVER TWO (2) DAYS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE PROBLEM HAD NO PREDICTED ONSET, AND THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER IT DIED THE FIRST TIME. I HAD TO PAY $240 TO GET IT FIXED (WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229253

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2008
Tires

I REPLACED THE TIRES ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A NEW SET OF BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRES IN JULY OF 2007. WITHIN 3 MONTHS THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SO BAD THE TIRES HAD TO BE ROTATED AND BALANCED EVERY 45-50 DAYS. I GOT THE RUN AROUND FROM THE DEALER IE: EXCUSES AS TO WHY I HAD TO ROTATE SO OFTEN WHICH NO…

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I REPLACED THE TIRES ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A NEW SET OF BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRES IN JULY OF 2007. WITHIN 3 MONTHS THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SO BAD THE TIRES HAD TO BE ROTATED AND BALANCED EVERY 45-50 DAYS. I GOT THE RUN AROUND FROM THE DEALER IE: EXCUSES AS TO WHY I HAD TO ROTATE SO OFTEN WHICH NONE APPLIED TO MY DRIVING SITUATIONS AND THE CAR WAS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT AT ALL. FINALLY TOOK A CREDIT FROM DEALER AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH NEW MICHELIN ENERGY SERIES IN MAY 2008 CAR DRIVES JUST LIKE IT DID OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR!!!!! FIRESTONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WITH THESE TIRES. THEY HAVE FLAT SPOTS, CUPPING PROBLEMS THEY ARE OUT OF ROUND. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER(NOT FIRESTONE)WHO CONFIRMED THAT THEY COULD NOT GET THEM TO BALANCE OUT PROPERLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES AND THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229084

25,000 miles · May 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL FOR THE ECM. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL FOR THE ECM. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE ENGINE THROTTLE. THE DEALER STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT IS AFRAID TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10227413

74,000 miles · May 7, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING FATAL ACCIDENTS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN TO HAVE A RECALL FIXED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. NISSAN STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPROGRAM THE ECM UNDER THE RECALL UNTIL THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND WAS CHARGED 350 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE RECALL STATED…

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THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING FATAL ACCIDENTS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN TO HAVE A RECALL FIXED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. NISSAN STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPROGRAM THE ECM UNDER THE RECALL UNTIL THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND WAS CHARGED 350 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE RECALL STATED THE SENSORS COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE BRIEF INTERRUPTION TO THE ECM AND CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL. IF THE SENSORS ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLED AS WELL? FURTHER REVIEW ONLINE SHOWS THE ORIGINAL SENSORS WERE MADE FROM PLASTIC AND COULD CRACK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE SENSOR CAUSING THEM TO FAIL AND THE NEW REVISED ONES ARE MADE FROM METAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226987

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2008
Exterior LightingVisibility

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA LOOK LIKE THEY ARE BURNED ON THE INSIDE AND FOGGY LOOKING. AT NIGHT THEY ARE VERY DIM, ALMOST AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING IN A CONSTANT THICK FOG. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS FOGGY LOOKING CIRCLES ALL OVER INSIDE THE GLASS AND MAKES VISIBILITY HARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226296

9,339 miles · Apr 29, 2008
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WAS ALSO NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,339.

NHTSA ODI #10226249

511,467 miles · Apr 24, 2008
Steering

NISSAN PART #480808J000 CALLED THE COUPLING SHAFT & COLUMN LOCKED UP ON ME, CAUSING MY STEERING TO GO OUT IN MY VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AS IT WAS, TRIED TO DO A U-TURN, STEERING WENT AND ALL MOST HIT A BUILDING. I WAS TOLD THIS PART WAS ON BACK ORDER NATION WIDE AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE IN. I DO H…

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NISSAN PART #480808J000 CALLED THE COUPLING SHAFT & COLUMN LOCKED UP ON ME, CAUSING MY STEERING TO GO OUT IN MY VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AS IT WAS, TRIED TO DO A U-TURN, STEERING WENT AND ALL MOST HIT A BUILDING. I WAS TOLD THIS PART WAS ON BACK ORDER NATION WIDE AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE IN. I DO HAVE THE NEW PART, KEPT THE OLD PART AND IF YOU TRY TO MOVE THE BOTTOM SHAFT PORTION, THAT SHOULD MOVE FREELY, YOU HAVE TO WRENCH ON IT TO MOVE THE PART, IT IS RUSTED. IF YOU ARE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT MIGHT GO AT 21,000 OR 50,000 MILES, I HAVE 51,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND IT WENT, THE SHOP HAD A VEHICLE THAT MATCHED MINE EXCEPT FOR MILEAGE 21,000 AND THE PART WENT OUT 6 WEEKS BEFORE MINE DID AND THAT OWNER WAS STILL WAITING ON THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225576

37,000 miles · Apr 16, 2008
SuspensionCrash

AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER PURCHASE BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH THE CAR ... I HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING CAR , SHOCKS, STRUTS, HEAT, SHIFTING AND REMOVING KEYS FROM IGNITION .... THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CERTIFIED PRE OWNED AND WAS NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224720

Official recalls

1

07V527000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 14, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems